Followers

Thursday, March 28, 2013

DEEP PURPLE 'Doesn't Really Care' About Being Inducted Into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

British rock
legends DEEP PURPLE were denied entry to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this
year — losing out to such artists as American pop singer-songwriter Randy
Newman and R&B singer Donna Summer.

The members of PURPLE, who will release a new album titled "Now
What?!" on April 30 in North America via earMUSIC, say it is no big loss.

"I don't think the band really care, actually," keyboardist Don Airey
tells The Straits Times. "It'd be nice but there's been no 'awwwww', no
disappointment."

"The gig's the thing with this band, the next concert. That's what it's
all about and we're looking forward to Singapore.

"Newman's fantastic but he's not really a rock act, is he? Neither is
Donna Summer, although she made one of the greatest records I've ever heard. If
you're going to have a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, let's have some rock and
rollers in there."

He added, laughing: "There was a kind of ripple of excitement, like 'Oh,
we've been nominated!'. Then [lead singer] Ian [Gillan] said, 'Don't worry, we
won't get in'."

Gillan echoed those sentiments, telling AOL's Noisecreep: "I fought
against, all my life, becoming institutionalized. So it
really does not affect me. But on the other hand, my family and friends
and everyone that has stuck with us all these years, it means something
to them. They love that recognition.

"To analyze it, and I'll try not to sound cocky or anything, I will say it
as respectfully as I can, it's sort of like the Oscars and Grammys and the
other awards like that — in the States, just like it is in
England, and other places — these awards and honors are usually not
decided by the fans, but by a cartel of influential people. These are
the same people that decided THE MONKEES were America's answer to THE BEATLES.
[laughs]

"So
I'm not too concerned about it. Maybe it will happen one day, bit if
not, my diary is full and I'm very happy. It hasn't affected our career
but it does concern the fans — that's who I feel for."